Teachers union challenges school board to cut their own pay, benefits

HESPERIA • Monday night, the lead negotiator for the teachers union challenged the Hesperia Unified School District school board to take a cut alongside the district employees.

"Perhaps you could cut some of your health benefits and stipends to show some leadership," said Betsy Patridge, a Hesperia Junior High School eighth grade language arts teacher, and the Hesperia Teachers Association's lead negotiator with the district.

These are tough times for the Victor Valley's largest employer: The HUSD, which receives most of its funding from the cash-strapped state government, must close a $13 million deficit before the new school year begins. Even as employee unions continue to negotiate with the district, the school board is preparing for the worst, approving a plan this week to lay off up to 94 teachers if they need to.

The five members of the board get a $486 monthly stipend and a health and welfare benefits package worth a little more than $13,000 a year. Cutting 100 percent of the board's stipend and health and welfare benefits would come to roughly $94,000.

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Beau Yarbrough can be reached at (760) 956-7108 or at beau@HesperiaStar.com.